Changes in nutritional parameters and their inter-relationships during recovery from protein-energy malnutrition in Ghanaian children.

Abstract

Studies were conducted to examine changes in anthropometric parameters and their relationships with energy and nitrogen intakes and nitrogen balance during recovery from protein-energy malnutrition. Eight male Ghanaian children with protein-energy malnutrition, who were on admission in a hospital, formed the subjects. Ages of subjects ranged from 18 to 42 months old. Their mean body weights and heights were 8.5±1.4kg and 78.4±6.5 cm respectively. These corresponded to 61.9±5.8% of reference body weight, for age (RBW/A), 80.0 ±5.8% of reference body weight for height (RBW/Ht) and 85.6±5.7% of reference height for age (RHt/A). The subjects received dietary treatment in the hospital and showed rapid recovery. They were observed for a period of 4 weeks. Their body weight gain averaged 1.6±0.5 kg. All the anthropometric parameters, with the exception for the abdominal circumference, increased with recovery. Changes in chest, mid-upper arm, thigh, and mid-calf circumferences correlated negatively with the % RBW/A but positively with the energy and nitrogen intakes as well as nitrogen balance. There were a very significant correlation between the nitrogen balance and the change of mid-calf circumference in particular (r=0.89, p<0.01). This study has showed that infants with low % RBW/A, but not with low % RBW/Ht, have high energy intake and positive nitrogen balance and consequently have a high recovery rate as indicated by the changes in their anthropometric measurements.